A method of containing arc faults in a power distribution unit includes in response to a bus bar temperature exceeding a bus bar temperature threshold, thermally opening a conductive element extending between an energizing coil of a contactor, a bus bar, and a controller. The controller is configured to selectively open and close the contactor. The conductive element is electrically connected to the energizing coil of the contactor and the controller. The conductive element is electrically isolated from a power source electrically connected to the first bus bar through the contactor.

A system and method for preventing a transformer from catching the fire due to internal faults is provided. The system includes a first set of sensors, a timer connected to the first set of sensors, a first breaker, a set of relays and a controller. The first set of sensors is configured to sense the generation of arc. As soon as the arc is detected, incoming supply to the transformer is isolated and the timer is triggered for a pre-determined time to measure the duration for which the faulty condition is persisting in the transformer. This faulty condition will be sensed through the set of relays. When such an abnormal condition persists for a duration set on the trigger of the system, beyond which the controller issues a signal to isolate the power supply. A method of using the system for preventing fire due to internal faults is also disclosed.

A circuit to mitigate arc failures in an electrical power distribution system can include a solid state distribution system connected to a source of power and to a load, a solid state power controller (SSPC) having a set of field effect transistors (FETs) responsive to command signals from the SSPC wherein an arc in a wire bond of a failed FET can trigger a predetermined sequence to quench the arc and isolate remaining wire bond material in the failed FET from contaminating a creepage path.

A lightning protection apparatus and related methods are described. The lightning protection apparatus includes a housing that defines a cavity, a gas generating device disposed within the housing, and a signal acquisition device. The housing is coupled to an aircraft. The signal acquisition device is configured to detect a lightning arc and responsively activate the gas generating device to emit a stream of gas to suppress the lightning arc.

A computerized monitoring system and method for detecting electrical equipment failure. The system includes a sensor that detects a sound level representative of ultrasonic emissions radiating from electrical equipment to be monitored. A computer system in communication with the sensor is programmed to determine whether the electrical equipment is experiencing one or more of arcing, tracking, or corona based on the sound level detected by the sensor. In some embodiments, the computer system continuously monitors for these conditions based on the sound level detected by the sensor.

A testing arrangement is provided for an arc detecting system that includes at least one optical detector at a piece of electric equipment, where the testing arrangement includes at least one light source and a testing unit, where the testing unit is configured to control the light source to emit a test light to the optical detector with steps of increasing luminance starting from a minimum test level and continuing towards a maximum test level, investigate if the optical detector detects the emitted test light and determine that the arc detecting system is operational if the optical detector is able to detect the test light at any of the used test levels.

An electrical assembly comprises a plurality of modules (36), each module (36) including at least one switching element (38) and at least one energy storage device (40), the or each switching element (38) and the or each energy storage device (40) in each module (36) arranged to be combinable to selectively provide a voltage source, wherein each module (36) includes a respective sensor (46) that is configured to monitor at least one other of the plurality of modules (36), each sensor (46) configured to selectively detect an occurrence of an operational hazard in the or each corresponding monitored module (36).

A voltage transient detector includes circuitry for transmitting electrical current through a light emitting diode and a fuse that is serially connected between the light emitting diode and a reference potential, such that the light emitting diode is illuminated when the fuse is not blown. The voltage transient detector also includes circuitry for transmitting a controlled amount of electrical current through the fuse in conjunction with an occurrence of a voltage transient at a voltage measurement location, where the voltage transient exceeds a set transient threshold voltage. The controlled amount of electrical current transmitted through the fuse causing the fuse to blow and the light emitting diode to turn off, thereby indicating occurrence of the voltage transient at the voltage measurement location.

An arc detection assembly is provided and includes first and second conductors including first and second terminal ends, respectively, which are engageable to form an electrical connection and an arc detection system. The arc detection system includes a fusible link disposed proximate to one of the first and second terminal ends and configured to break in response to an arcing condition between the first and second terminal ends and a monitoring circuit coupled to the fusible link and configured to determine when breakage of the fusible link occurs and to thereby determine that the arcing condition has occurred.

An arc detection assembly is provided and includes first and second conductors including first and second terminal ends, respectively, which are engageable to form an electrical connection and a temperature sensing system. The temperature sensing system includes a temperature sensor disposed in contact with one of the first and second terminal ends and configured to sense a temperature of the one of the first and second terminal ends and a temperature monitoring circuit. The temperature monitoring circuit is coupled to the temperature sensor and configured to determine when the temperature sensor senses an increase in temperature of the one of the first and second terminal ends and to determine whether the increase in temperature is indicative of an arcing condition of the electrical connection.